Monday, December 13, 2010

With a fullbright scholarship and an American Academy in Rome fellowship under his belt, it's no wonder why Penn alum Darius A. Arya (C'93, DKE, Water Polo, Classics) is once again featured in a National Geographic show airing all this week called "Rome Unwrapped".

More from Darius and a video clip from the show after the jump!

The show is a spectacular extravaganza on the Roman world, with particular insights gained from new excavations and explorations, with top scholars from the Anglo-American world. CGI is state of the art and access to sites is extraordinary.

In the show, Darius is one of the lead figures throughout the show and dishes on "Rome the superpower", "the death of Caesar", the "Colosseum/Secrets of the gladiators", plus more! Check out the clip below. Darius appears in minute 1:29.

I've watched a bunch of clips online and there are some really interesting and dramatic insights you probably never knew about ancient Rome.

I chatted with Darius and he tells me this has been "just about the best job one could have, truth be told!" (sounds similar to THIS Penn alum professional who also consults for TV too). Aside from this, Darius has a day job which includes excavations, teaching (architecture, religion, classics, topography) and participating in other Rome related shoots.

What They're Saying About This Site

"Keep up the DAMN good work. It's not until I'm about to graduate that I really start to appreciate other Penn alums who try to keep the network going with websites like Dueling Tampons and more. Keep it up!"
-Mike Tate (C'10)

"Just wanted to send a note to say thanks for your continued work w/ Dueling Tampons. it's one of the various e-news blasts I read most days. I really liked the one about '3 generations at Penn'."
-Jody Girgenti (C'98)

"As an outsider to the entertainment industry and to LA, DuelingTampons.com gave me an excellent jumping-off point to start my job search. It enabled me to learn about Penn alums in the entertainment industry and conduct necessary preliminary research. From there I was able to reach out to our incredible alumni network, schedule introductory meetings and phone calls, eventually land an interview, and finally secure an internship at a top Hollywood studio."
-Steve Gottlieb (C'04)

"By the way, Dueling Tampons may be one of the greatest names for a penn-related website!"
Andrew Erace (C'07)

"Whenever I'm looking to waste time on the internet, Dueling Tampons is at the top of my list right up there with the Onion, the Superficial, and Leverged Sell Out."
Scott Kend (C'02)

"I love what you are doing for Penn with this website. Keep it up!"
Adam El Sehamy (C'09)

"Thanks for doing your part to unify Penn through Dueling Tampons--it's already been a great resource, and I'm only an incoming freshman. I am truly looking forward to my next four years at Penn and beyond. Thanks again."
-Haywood L. Perry III (C'12)

"Just want to thank you for all you are doing re: DT. You've reenergized my feelings toward Penn and now I have a son who will be applying to Penn"
-Joan L. (W'80)

"Great site. I've really enjoyed everything I've come across since I first came across it. Keep up the good work."
-A.J. Cabrera (C'04)

"Great site —when I first came across it, it took me by surprise. I hadn't used the phrase DT in years, you totally made me laugh. Thanks for that."
-Jason Seiden (W'95)

"I got all misty-eyed looking at the Dueling Tampons site. I mean it gave me sense memory of Penn... of the Walk when it was cold, or being in McNeill with Abiel, or being in German class, or taking 20 extra minutes to get to class because of seeing everyone I knew on Locust Walk, or people that sat in my classes that are now really famous or important... just a great site"
-Chris Hartwell (C'95)

"Love you website..! Very fun to read - I cannot believe what alums (that are WAY younger than us) are accomplishing...very cool...!"
-Dorie Clayman (C'96)

"Thank you for your website. I've not been in touch with Penn for YEARS, am speaking at the Bookstore and they wrote to me about Dueling Tampons. I've spent the afternoon going around inside it. so thank you!"
Michael Rosen

"Hey, I'll be entering Penn in the Fall as a '12 student. Just trying to get a feel for the campus before I come and Dueling Tampons seems like it has got a big place on campus."
-Eric Jacob Maltiel (SEAS'12)

"I love the way you are reaching out to Penn alums and this site...keep up the good work"
-Jennifer Merves Robbins (C'92)

"I just found dueling tampons, and im hooked. i had no idea so many alum do what i want to do when i grow up!"-Danielle Hannah (C'03)

"Dueling Tampons has an AWESOME reputation on campus here, and I see you and your site everywhere!"
-Matt Amalfitano (C'11)

"Your site's a great way to keep up with Penn stuff with a laugh. Thanks."
-David Toturgul (C'99)

"What you do on Dueling Tampons I think really provides many Penn students with inspiration for their future careers, as I know it has done with me."
-Ryan Townsend (C'08)

"I really like all the Penn stuff, makes me feel at home... I had a good laugh at the name of the website, it only took me a split second to get it!"
-Dan Gutin (C'97)